Portal to Confederate Post Office Publications

INTRODUCTION

The information provided on this page is provided via the courtesy of Mike Ludeman. This represents significant work by Mike to consolidate historical records related to the Confederate Post Office Department. The original content can be found at Stamp Smarter and is contained in 3 files under the title “Portals to Confederate Post Office Publications.” The two primary resources used to gather this information included the Library of Congress (LOC) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The CWPS was given permission to leverage Mike’s work and make it available on our website for the benefit of the collecting community. By clicking on the links below, you will be able to review the available material and have direct access to the source documents. We hope that by presenting this information in an easy-to-use manner, more individuals will be made aware of what is available and it will facilitate future research efforts.

We thank Mike for the work required to consolidate this material and for allowing us to package this for delivery on the CWPS website.

NOTE: The links on this page are to documents stored outside of the CWPS website. If you find links that are not working properly, please send a note to contact@civilwarphilatelicsociety.org. Several key documents found in the Mike Ludeman files, had been previously identified and included on the CWPS page Confederate Post Office Department. Those documents have not been duplicated on this specific page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Descriptive Resource Pages

Library of Congress (LOC) Manuscript Collection 16550 – General information about the collection and how it is organized. The collection itself is not limited to the civil war years and is not strictly focused on Postal Information.

Finding Aid for LOC – Tool to search the entire MSS 16550 collection.

Maps – Specific entries that Mike Ludeman identified as containing valuable information related to Maps during the Civil War.

Downloadable Publications

Headquarters Publications

Miscellaneous Publications

State Specific Publications

Missouri – No Entries Identified

Headquarters Publications

Headquarters Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID
Post Office Department - Blank Forms and Printed Regulations	1	6952755
Post Office Department Instructions to Postmasters, 1861	2	6274110
Post Office Department Instructions to Special Agents, 1861	3	6274111
Post Office Department - List of Establishments, Discontinuances, and Changes in Name	5	6925834

Post Office Department - Index to Letters Sent by the Contract Bureau, 1861-1864	31-Index	7349295
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Contract Bureau, 1861-1864	31	7349294
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Contract Bureau, 1861-1862	32	7349296
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Contract Bureau, 1862-1863	33	6925848
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Contract Bureau, 1863-1864	34	7349297
Post Office Department - Record of Circulars Sent, U.S. Post Office, 1860-1862	48	6925855
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Inspection Office, June 1861 - February 1862	44	6952757
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Inspection Office, February 1862 - January 1863	45	6925854
Post Office Department - Letters Sent by the Inspection Office, February 1863 - January 1864	46	6952758
Post Office Department - Register of Dead Letters, 1863-1864	52	7349302
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
Treasury Department Forms and Circulars, Last item dated May 6, 1863	644	LoC 49
Treasury Department Forms and Circulars, July 24, 1861	Start Frame 98	LoC 49-1
Post Office Ledger - Index to Letters (Ledger p1 - 55)	Start Frame 321	LoC 49-2
Letter Book of POD Letters, (Ledger p 57-792) Dated April 6 1861 To Nov 4, 1864)	Start Frame 354	LoC 49-3

Letter Book of POD letters: Mar 26, 1862 - Mar 24, 1863	410	LoC 50
Letter Book of POD letters: Mar 25, 1863 - January 17, 1865 Ledger pages 1-480)	491	LoC 51

Journal and Letter Book, Several different groups of records	654	LoC 52
Record Book-Volume 1: Journal and Orders Mar 4, 1861 -Mar 25, 1862	1-244	LoC 52-1
Record Book-Volume 2: Record of Letters and Other Communications from the Post Office Department of th Confederate States of America, Mar 7, 1861 to May 24, 1862	245-654	LoC 52-2

Miscellaneous Publications

Miscellaneous Publications	Date	Source
Correspondence relating to the Post Office (Executive Documents, No. 3) (Charleston: Steam-power presses of Evans & Cogswell)	Jan 14, 1861	Internet Archives
State of the Union, Speech of the Hon. John H. Reagan, Delivered in the House of Representatives	Jan 15, 1861	LOC
Estimate of an additional appropriation required for the service of the Government, from February 18th to April 1st, 1862	Jan 29, 1862	Hathi Trust
Report of the Postmaster General, In Answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives, of Oct 13, 1862	Oct 13,1862	Internet Archive
Statement of the Postmaster General, An Estimate of the amount required for compensation of agents, cost of materials, and constructing, repairing and operating telegraph lines	Jan 8, 1863	Internet Archives
Supplemental Report of the Postmaster General, relating to expenses for appropriations between July 1, 1863 and 30 June, 1864	Feb, 12, 1863	Internet Archives
Communication from the Postmaster General, Compensation for personnel in Post Office Department	Feb 19, 1863	Internet Archives
Communication from the Postmaster General, relating to East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Company	March 4, 1863	Internet Archives
Letter from the chief of the Appointment Bureau re: Postage on Newspapers, Periodical, Books, and Route Agents	June 10, 1863	HathiTrust
Correspondence between the president of the Virginia Central Rail Road Company and the Postmaster General, in relation to postal service.	July 3, 1863	HathiTRust
A bill to limit and define the term of office of the secretary or principal officer of each of the executive departments, established by the several acts entitled, "An act to organize the Department of State," "An act to organize the Department of State, " "An act to establish the Treasury Department, " "An act to establish the War Department," "An act to establish the Navy Department." "An act to establish the Post Office Department," "An act to organize and establish an executive department, to be known as the Department of Justice;" all of which acts were approved February 21, 1861. [Senate Bill 150]	Dec 13, 1863	HathiTrust
Address of the President of the Va. Central Railroad Co., to the Stockholders on the subject of withdrawal of the mails by the Postmaster General. [Richmond: Macfarlane & Fergusson, Printers, 1864]	Sept 7, 1864	HathiTrust
Message of the President... transmitting communications, which furnish the information desired relative to the "commissioned officers attached to and employed in different departments and bureaux in the city of Richmond. [Page 5 from John H. Reagan regarding CSA POD employees].	Jan 10, 1865	HathiTrust
CSA House Of Representatives No. 282: A Bill to be entitled: An Act for the prevention of frauds on the revenues of the Postoffice Department, and prohibiting the transportation of mailable matter over the post routes of the Confederate States by unauthorized associations of persons.	Jan 25, 1865	HathiTrust
Memoirs, with Special reference to secession and the CivilWar, by John H(enninger) Reagan	1906	Google Books

ALABAMA

Alabama Publications	Date	Source	State
An Ordinance to make provisional postal arrangements in Alabama	January 15, 1861	HathiTrust	AL
	NARA Vol.	NARA ID
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Alabama, 1862-1864	6	6925835	AL
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, 1861-1862, 1862-1864	7	7349284	AL
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Alabama, 1862-1863	35	6925849	AL
Post Office Department - Route Book, Alabama	56	7065653	AL

ARKANSAS

Arkansas Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Route Book, Arkansas, 1862-1863	17	6925839	AR
Post Office Department - Route Book, Arkansas, 1862-1863	29	7349293	AR
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Arkansas, 1862-1863	36	6925850	AR
Post Office Department - Record of Post Offices in Texas (Frame 1) and Arkansas (Frame 48). (Mail routes which supply each office.)	50	6925856	AR
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositories in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864 - 1865	53	7065652	AR
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositories in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864-1865	53 Duplicate	6925857	AR
Post Office Department - Returns of Postmasters: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, 1864-1865	54	7403473	AR
Post Office Department - Route Book, Arkansas, 1863-1864	55	7349303	AR
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Tennessee – Postmaster Appointment Records	370	53	AR

FLORIDA

Florida Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department-Proposals for Carrying Confederate States Mail in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina	4	7349283	FL
Post Office Department -Mail Contracts, 1861-1864 (Florida & Georgia) - Much handwritten information illegible)	8	6925836	FL
Post Office Department -Mail Contracts, 1861-1864 (Florida & Georgia) - Much handwritten information illegible)	8 Duplicate	7065647	FL
Confederate Post Office Department -Route Book, Florida	18	6274112	FL
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Florida and Georgia, 1862-1863	37	7349298	FL
	LOC Frame	LOC Reel
Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Tennessee – Postmaster Appointment Records	370	53	FL

GEORGIA

Georgia Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department-Proposals for Carrying Confederate States Mail in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina	4	7349283	GA
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, 1861-1862, 1862-1864	7	7349284	GA
Post Office Department -Mail Contracts, 1861-1864 (Florida & Georgia) - Much handwritten information is illegible.	8	6925836	GA
Post Office Department -Mail Contracts, 1861-1864 (Florida & Georgia) - Much handwritten information illegible)	8 Duplicate	7065647	GA
Confederate Post Office Department - Route Book, Georgia	19	6274113	GA
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Florida and Georgia, 1862-1863	37	7349298	GA

KENTUCKY

Kentucky Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Record of Post Offices in Kentucky	49	6952759	KY

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Louisiana, 1861- 1862	9	7349286	LA
Post Office Department-Route Book, Louisiana, 1861-1862	30	6925847	LA
Post Office Department - Record of Bids to Carry the Mails, Louisiana, 1862-1865	38	6925851	LA
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositories in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864-1865	53	7065652	LA
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositaries in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864-1865	53 Duplicate	7403473	LA
Post Office Department - Returns of Postmasters: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, 1864-1865	54	7403473	LA
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Tennessee – Postmaster Appointment Records	370	53	LA

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Record of Bids to Carry the Mails, Mississippi, 1862-1865	39	6925852	MS
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, 1861-1862, 1862-1864	7	7349284	MS
Post Office Department - Route Book, Mississippi, 1961-1962	21	6925842	MS
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
MISSISSIPPI, Contracts for Mail Routes; Routes 601 (Aug 28,1862); Routes 7671 (1861)	562	54	MS
MISSISSIPPI, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 7405-7488	748	55	MS
MISSISSIPPI, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 7490-7579	1069	56	MS
MISSISSIPPI, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 7580-7599	439	57	MS

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department-Proposals for Carrying Confederate States Mail in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina	4	7349283	NC
Post Office Department - Route Book, North Carolina, 1861- 1863, and South Carolina, 1862-1864 [Title Error in NARA , actual Title: Mail Contracts, North Carolina, 1862-1863 and South Carolina, 1862-1864]	22	6925843	NC
Post Office Department - Route Book, North Carolina, 1861-1862	22.5	7349289	NC
Post Office Department - Route Book, North Carolina, 1861-1862	22 1/2	7065648	NC
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, North Carolina, 1862-1863	40	7349299	NC

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department-Proposals for Carrying Confederate States Mail in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina	4	7349283	SC
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, (South Carolina), 1861-1864	23	7349290	SC
Post Office Department - Route Book, South Carolina, 1861-1863	23.5	6925844	SC
Post Office Department - Route Book, South Carolina, 1861-1863	23 1/2	7065649	SC

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Tennessee, 1862-1863	42	7349300	TN
Post Office Department, Mail Contracts, Tennessee, 1861-1862	12	7349287	TN
Confederate Post Office Department -Route Book, Tennessee, 1861-1862	24	7349291	TN
Post Office Department-Route Book, Tennessee, 1862-1865	25	6925845	TN
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Tennessee – Postmaster Appointment Records	370	52	TN

TEXAS

Texas Publications	NARA Vol.	NARA ID	State
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Texas, 1862-1863	43	6925853	TX
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Texas, 1861-1863	13	7349288	TX
Post Office Department - Route Book, Texas 1861-1862	26	7065650	TX
Post Office Department - Route Book, Texas 1862-1864	27	7349292	TX
Post Office Department - Route Book, Texas, 1862-1865	47	7065651	TX
Post Office Department - Record of Post Offices in Texas (Frame 1) and Arkansas (Frame 48). (Mail routes which supply each office.)	50	6925856	TX
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositaries in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864-1865	53	7065652	TX
Post Office Department - Accounts of Depositaries in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas with the Post Office Department, 1864-1865	53 Duplicate	6925857	TX
Post Office Department - Returns of Postmasters: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, 1864-1865	54	7403473	TX
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Tennessee – Postmaster Appointment Records	370	53	TX

VIRGINIA

Virginia Publications	Date	Source	State
Advertisement inviting proposal for carrying the mails of the Confederate States of the State of Virginia	December 31, 1862	HathiTrust	VA
Advertisement inviting proposal for carrying the mails of the Confederate States of the State of Virginia	December 31, 1862	Internet Archives	VA
	NARA Vol	NARA ID
Post Office Department - Account Book, Post Office at Richmond (VA), 1855-1865	51	7349301	VA
Post Office Department - Records of Bids to Carry the Mails, Virginia, 1862-1863	41	6925756	VA
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Virginia, 1861-1863	15	6925838	VA
Post Office Department - Mail Contracts, Virginia, 1863-1864	14	6925837	VA
Post Office Department - Route Book, Virginia, 1861-1865	28	6925846	VA
	LOC Frames	LOC Reel
VIRGINIA, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes, ; Routes 4171 - 4200	780	58	VA
VIRGINIA, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 4201-4237	849	59	VA
VIRGINIA, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 4237-4247	328	60	VA
VIRGINIA, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 4300-4310	451	61	VA
VIRGINIA, Register of Arrivals and Departures, Misc Correspondence for Mail Routes; Routes 291, 4188, 4311- 4319	1-746	62	VA

MAPS

MAPS - Publication Title	Soure
The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War, by Major George B. Davis, Capt. Calvin D. Cowles, et. Al	David Rumsey Map Collection
Home Page for Library of Congress Civil War Atlases in digital format	LOC
Atlas to accompany Steele's American Campaigns, 169 maps	LOC
Campaigns of the American Civil War, 57 maps	LOC

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